Big Decisions

[scrubsrn24]

Hello everyone-

I am in desperate need of some input from fellow nurses. I am currently in the midst of making a huge career decision and while friends and family are great to talk to, I need some advice from people who know what the job is like.

I have been in a job for 6 months. This is my first job in a hospital. I love the nursing aspect of the work, but the hospital I work in is horrible. Ridiculous ratios (my first night off orientation I had 6 patients including a critically ill infant). My orientation was cut short because there were holes in the schedule. Other nurses on the floor are miserable, but have worked there for many, many years. They tell me over and over about how the hospital "used to be different" and they are "just waiting it out until retirement". I work a "flex" position meaning that I am scheduled for 36 hours but frequently am cut down to 24 hours/week depending on the census. I don't know if I am going to be cut until 2 hours before my scheduled shift. I was aware of the possibility of being cut to 24 hours before I took the job, but they made it out to sound like a) it was a very rare occurrence and b) that we would know ahead of time. The added problem is I live over an hour away. I have dealt with the commute up until now, but with the increasing cutting of my hours, it is becoming unbearable. I used to be able to take public transportation, but since the "flexing" began I don't have enough time to take the public transportation because I call the floor 2 hours before the shift.

I truly do enjoy the job itself, so I'm not afraid that nursing isn't for me, but I think it's time I find a job closer to home. I can't consider moving closer to my job because I can't live on 24 hours of pay. The environment is so miserable that I have come home in tears more times than I can count. Most of the RNs are to busy to help when needed, and others are unapproachable. There hasn't been a nurse manager on the floor since I started. I wanted to try to make it a full year, but I just don't think I can. Are these valid reasons for leaving a job? Am I going to hurt myself in the future by leaving after 6 months? I have a job I can take at home, but I will be taking a pay cut. Please help!

[klone, MSN, RN]

You make it sound like you may already have a job available near your home? If that's the case, then it makes the 6 months and how it may look on a resume to be less relevant.

IMO, a paycut needs to be weighed against the drawbacks of the current job, including commute time and expense, and personal happiness/lack of stress. To me, a paycut would be worth a job close to home that doesn't leave me in tears more often than not.

[scrubsrn24]

I can go back to the job I left for the hospital job. It's in a clinic vs. a hospital and I left for this "dream hospital job." I feel like I've made my decision, but feeling like a quitter is really hard :/

[StrwbryblndRN]

Do not worry about the 6 months. What makes you happy? Not all employers look at that and think that you would be a bad fit. Life happens.

I changed jobs back in Oct 2010 to home health to increase my nursing experience. I worked a hosptial and loved it but wanted something different. Also drive time was less than one minute to the hosptial.

I went back to the hospital within 2 months because I was miserable. I cried daily. I cried in the car between pt visits. I am now back at the hospital. No regrets. I took a pay cut to come back due to giving up baylor. This caused major financial issues. But I am happy again and my kids are too. No more bringing home work.

[ChuckeRN, BSN, RN]

You're not a quitter.

I would be looking for a job too in your shoes. If you're afraid of leaving a job with less than 6 months, everything you posted is a perfectly reasonable explanation for any future job interviews as long as you stress the safety aspect of why you chose to leave.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

With the high price of gas, and wear and tear on your car and nerves, there is no reason why you should keeping driving one hour (each way?) for a job. If your next employer wants to know why you left, simply tell them it was too far away, and cost you soooo much to drive there. But one word of caution: never burn bridges in the nursing world. You never know when you might need to go back there to work again, esp. in this economy. Work out a decent notice and be sure you leave on good terms.

[Marshall1]

The commute doesn't sound like a major issue for you it sounds like the actual work environment...I wouldn't want to be around negative people all day - it's stressful enough as it is...if you have another position then take it - sounds like you would be happier even w/less money coming in. Give notice and go.

[odela02]

It is a tough road. I come from a place where there is only one hospital that takes care of the general population. The staff told me that there was a time there that ratio was 10 patients' to one nurse. It is even harder when you have a heavy load. I am talking about ventilator and morbidly obese patients. Or the frequent callers who have little patience to wait. I have stuck to this for over 2 years. It was a tough road but if I can do it, you can too. I have learned so much from the staff. And I have encountered RNs that are not very friendly with LPNs. But my boss is awesome and stands up for her staff. If it was not for her, I would have quit the first 6 months in. I am still stunned that I made it this far. You can do it my friend but if you have weighed your options and it doesnt make sense you should give other areas of nursing a chance. I am talking school, home health and clinic. :)